The view from San Jose

Moral victories mean nothing in the standings, but the Kings played a far better game against San Jose than the Sharks’ recent opponents. The Sharks had scored a total of 15 goals in their previous three games, but thanks largely to the efforts of goalie Jonathan Quick, the Sharks were held to one goal. Bottom line, though, is that the Sharks extended their winning streak to four games and pulled another point ahead of the Kings in the Pacific Division. Here’s how the San Jose Mercury News covered last night’s game, followed by some additional postgame quotes from the Sharks’ locker room…

COACH TODD MCLELLAN
(on the Kings…) “I expected a tough game from them. Even without the coaching change, they have always played us hard. (It always) seems to be a one-goal game. They are a very good defensive team. Shots and chances were at a premium, and I didn’t expect any different from them. I’m happy we were able to find one in the shootout.”

(on the goalies’ play…) “I thought both goaltenders were really sharp. You don’t see a lot of 1-1 games that are that tight, and they both played well and both goaltenders performed well in the shootout. Ours was lucky enough to get one more save than theirs.”

(on the penalty that led to the Kings’ goal…) “In my opinion, Logan established his ice and (Dustin) Brown ran into him. The question that I would have is, if Logan went down, would Brown get a penalty for hitting Logan?”

—–

JOE THORNTON
(on the game…) “Our fans get into these kinds of games and so do we. It was an all-around good game. I think in the third period we probably outplayed them a little bit, but (a) good 65 minutes by both teams.”

(on the Sharks’ offense…) “We had some good chances we just didn’t finish but the chances are there and as long as we keep shooting the puck it will eventually go in.”

—–

LOGAN COUTURE
(on his goal…) “(The Kings) are a great defensive team they don’t really give up many chances. To find a soft spot like that doesn’t happen very often. (Ryane) Clowe made a great feed to me and I was able to get a lot on it.”

(on the low-scoring game…) “Every game is like that. They are a great defensive team. They’re good on the forecheck, they play hard, (and) we expect to battle like that every time if we are in their building or in ours.”

—–

RYANE CLOWE
(on beating Quick in the shootout…) “I’m not sure how many times I’ve went against him; I think he might have stopped me once and I’ve scored on him once, but I went to the same move. I felt pretty confident on that forehand move because of the fact it’s worked a couple times this year.”

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#6 | 6′ 3″ | 216 lb | Age: 27

Bio

Muzzin was drafted in 2007 by the Pittsburgh Penguins, before signing to the Kings in 2010. He has since become the first Woodstock, Ontario professional athlete to win a major sports trophy.VIEW JAKE MUZZIN POSTS

Anze Kopitar

#11 | 6′ 3″ | 224 lb | Age: 29

Bio

As the 11th overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Kopitar became the first Slovenian to play in the NHL. Kopitar has spent his entire NHL career with the Kings, and following the 2015–16 season, was named the Kings’ captain. Noted for both his offensive and defensive play, Kopitar was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward in the NHL in 2016.

#8 | 6′ 1″ | 195 lb | Age: 26

Bio

Bio: Doughty is a Canadian defenceman who was selected second overall by the Kings in the 2008 Draft. Doughty made his NHL debut in 2008 as an 18-year-old and was named to the All-Rookie Team. He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Kings, a two-time Olympic gold medallist with the Canadian national team, and a Norris Trophy finalist.

#73 | 6′ 1″ | 200 lb | Age: 24

Bio

Toffoli is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward, drafted by the Kings in the second round of the 2010 Draft. Toffoli scored his first career NHL goal in his second game in a 4–0 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes in 2013. He was also named the 2012–13 AHL All-Rookie Team.VIEW TYLER TOFFOLI POSTS

Jeff Carter

#77 | 6′ 4″ | 215 lb | Age: 31

Bio

Carter began his hockey career playing in the Ontario Hockey League in Canada before joining the AHL and playing for the Philadelphia Flyers. He was then traded to the Colombus Blue jackets before joining the LA Kings in 2012, where he has since won two Stanley Cups with the Kings.

#32 | 6′ 1″ | 218 lb | Age: 30

Bio

Bio: Quick is the current goaltender for the LA Kings and was selected by Los Angeles at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Previously, Quick was a silver medalist with USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics. He’s won two Stanley Cup championships with the Kings, along with being the most recent goaltender to be awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs.